A Celebration of Life (It's wordy, but a MUST read)

"Come and see what God has done, the amazing things he has done for people." -Psalm 66:5

This is the verse that was on the beautiful invitation I received in the mail for a "Celebration of Life" party for the Sullivan family, given by, The Sullivan Family. What amazing things has God done for this wonderful family? Let me back up and give some background on why the Sullivan's had a "Celebrate Life" party this last Sunday.

Let me start off by saying that this family is just like my own. I lived with them for a year during my first year at UNT and it was a wonderful transition from home to being away. I left my family, and went to live with another. At that time, they only had their girls Emma (4) and Maddie (3). It was fun having two younger sisters, especially because I was an only child. A year later, I moved out on my own and just when I was moving out, Tracy had found out she was pregnant with their third child, Josiah. I still saw them all the time and became the neighborhood babysitter where they lived, so I was around my other family quite a bit. When Josiah was about a year old, Tracy found out she was pregnant with kiddo number four, and they had Elijah. I even kept Elijah when he was five weeks old, just him and I. The rest of the family was sick and so, Elijah and I camped out downstairs and bonded. I loved him and that family. Let's fast forward about four years. At this time, I've graduated from UNT and teaching and I get a call from Tracy that at Josiah's four year well exam, they found that he had stroke-level blood pressure and action needed to be taken pretty quick. He went into the hospital and they found out that he had a narrowing of his aorta valve. This is what caused the extreme high blood pressure. The next few months/year was the most difficult thing the Sullivan's had ever been through, up to this point. There were times where they didn't know if Josiah would make it. They flew up to Michigan where he was operated on to correct the issue. It was a successful surgery and his blood pressure went down. A few months ago, this procedure had to be repeated (or a procedure similar) and they flew back up for yet, another surgery for Josiah. How is Josiah doing now? Wonderful! The surgery did a lot for him and he's been a healthy boy for the last few months. Praise God! I of course, am giving the shorter version of this very long and extremely painful journey they experienced. I don't mean to minimize the situation in any way, but also don't want to give any incorrect information. Let's just say, it has been a very long, draining, heart-wrenching experience for the Sullivan's - and, of course, for Josiah. So, in the midst of Josiah's second surgery, as if that was physically and mentally draining enough, yet another tragedy hit the Sullivan household. Back when the Swine Flu outbreak was at an all-time high, it hit their house. Everyone got it. Everyone got over it, except for Pete, their dad. The swine flu put him in the hospital with some other major health concerns. Pete's kidneys started failing - badly. Things got so bad, health-wise, for Pete, that he had to be put into a medically induced coma. For a few weeks, the doctors could offer Tracy no hope. They couldn't tell her he would make it. In fact at one point, I think they were trying to prepare her for the worst. Things were not looking good for him. His kidneys weren't functioning and he hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye to his family. The Sullivan's are most definitely a family of faith. They held strong to their beliefs and asked for God's protection and healing for Pete. After a few weeks, Pete's condition started getting better. He was out of his coma, but still in bad shape because of his kidneys - all of this because of the Swine Flu. Nothing is too great for God, though. After weeks and weeks of hard core praying and some good dialysis, Pete was on his way back to healing. However, the doctors told him he would need to be on dialysis for the rest of his life, most likely. As soon as Pete was able to make it back home, it was time to head up to Michigan for Josiah's second surgery. From what I heard, the hospital where Josiah would be having his surgery, was awesome, heard about Pete's condition and made it to where he could do his dialysis there. How is Pete today? HEALED! Not only is he healed, but, get this - he isn't even on dialysis anymore. ?????? How could this be? How could this man who was lying on his death bed, not only survive, but not need the lifetime treatment he was told he would need? God. God is bigger than swine flu. He's bigger than kidney failure, and He's most definitely bigger than the doctors who said he would need all these things. The Sullivan's are a wonderful example of faith and believing in God's healing hands and this is why they had a "Celebration of Life" party this past Sunday. This amazing family had a lot to celebrate.

I couldn't wait to go! I'd been looking forward to this, and especially because, Tracy and the family hadn't met AB yet. It's crazy. She's one of the most important people in my life, and hadn't met my daughter yet, but right when AB was born is when they got sick with the Swine Flu, and then Pete got sick, and then they had to leave for Josiah's surgery. So, needless to say, they were a little busy. It just hadn't worked out up until this point, BUT I know she was dying to meet her, and I was just as anxious for her to. I had my camera out and ready to snap pictures the second Tracy got her hands on AB. The first picture is my favorite, because exactly what happened is what I predicted...tears.

I've always loved Tracy's kids like they were my own. I would drop anything just to be with them or do something for them. They were my little guniea pigs, if you will. I learned how to be a mom from Tracy and from her kids. So, seeing Tracy holding my own child was very emotional for me, as well. It was great when the kids saw AB. The last time I had seen the family was when I was about four months pregnant and had just a little baby bump. Here's AB grabbing at Maddie's hair.

Annabelle LOVED Tracy. She just stayed in her arms for most of the time and smiled and laughed.

Here he is! The man of the hour! Pete, looking as if he never was sick at all. Love these two!

Love this one. Who is AB smiling at?

Pete

He was playing peek-a-boo with her, and she loved it!

Sweet picture - Tracy handed AB over to Austin so she could "get a good look at her", from her head to her sweet little toes.

Daddy and AB, practicing standing up. Something she doesn't do very often, but felt she had it in her on this day!

This girl loves being on her Daddy's shoulders!

Here is me with all of the kiddos. Another sweet family was there that I used to babysit, the Sweatt family. I LOVED babysitting those kiddos, and the last time I babysat was six years ago. Their "baby" is now seven. I carried her around like AB the last time I saw her! Check it out, she's the one in the red shirt. Her sister and brother are Abby and Josiah. Abby is in purple, and Josiah is in the blue shirt...his cute face is covered by Elijah's balloon! Emma is in the back with Josiah's fingers in her face, Maddie is in the yellow shirt. Elijah is holding the balloon, and little Josiah is in the front.

AB and I with the Sweatt kids, Josiah, Abby and Isabelle. I CANNOT get over how big they are!

AB and I with the Sullivan girls (the boys were too busy playing for another picture!) Maddie on the left, Emma on the right.

LOVE them!

Tracy and I. It was SO wonderful to get to see her and the rest of her amazing family. I was glad to be a part of their day! Even though, we got off to a late start and we went to the wrong place...so it put us there a little behind. I miss this family. I was so happy to be there with them.

Kristie and I. This is the mom of the other group of precious kiddos in the picture. I loved this family and babysitting their kids. They always made me feel so right at home and welcome in their house.

It was a wonderful time of friendship, fellowship and seeing the great things that God has done. Nothing is too great for God. This family is a perfect example of that. What a wonderful gift they'd been given and what a great opportunity it was for Austin and I to be able to celebrate that with them. Thank you, Sullivan's, for including us in your special day. We love all of you so much!

Next week, they're off to Disney World. Make a Wish is sending all of them on a no expenses paid, trip to Disney next week! What a well-deserved trip for this loving family! Can't wait to hear about it and see pictures!